A global consortium of independent agencies known as Local Planet was the topped-ranked media agency network in global new business in the first quarter, according to agency research firm COMvergence. (Figures factor in wins, losses and successfully defended accounts). 

The network’s top ranking was due mainly to Horizon Media securing the $857 million Charter/Spectrum cable company business in the U.S. in March. 

Publicis Media’s Spark Foundry was second ranked—it's biggest win being the consolidated $400 million Abbot pharmaceutical company. 

Wavemaker ranked third, led by its successful defense of several major accounts including Mercedes-Benz Group in China and L’Oreal in Italy. 

At the holding company level Publicis Media was top ranked with total new business of nearly $2.7 billion, which included the award of The Coca-Cola Company’s $835 million North America media business. It also secured five new global clients including Barilla, Dropbox, Goodyear, LinkedIn and Santander. 

Omnicom Media Group was second ranked in large part due to it securing the consolidated Kimberly-Clark account outside North America. 

IPG’s Mediabrands was third with total new business of $23 million. 

COMvergence noted that excluding retained business five of the big six ad groups lost ground when considering just new wins versus losses for the period. 

The company assessed 590 media account moves and retentions across 47 countries totaling $6.68 billion, up 38% versus the prior year period. 

The U.S. represented 42% of the spend reviewed and China accounted for 15%. 

Local pitches represented 69% of the reviewed spending, or $4.6 billion. 

Independent agencies won or retained $1.5 billion of the total (23%).